Automotive vehicle construction



BLJ. CRAIG AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION May 30, 1944.

Filed Feb. 12, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENI'OR.

May 30, 1944. B. J. CRAIG AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE conswnucuou 12 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed Feb. 12

LO Q

May 30, 1944. J 5 2,349,940

AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE conszrnucnou Filed Feb. 12, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENT OR.

May 30, 1944.. B. J. CRAIG AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION .1940 12Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb May 3, 1944.

F JB

AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION B. J. CRAIG 2,349.940

Fi'led Feb. 12, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 30, 1944. R 2,349,940

AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION v Filed Feb. 12, 1940 l2 Sheets-Sheet 6May 30, 1944. B R 2,349,940

AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 12, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet 8315.57 IFE EE INVENTOR.

May 30, 1944. 5', CRAIG 2,349,940

AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 12, 1940 l2 Sheets-Sheet 9INVENTOR- May 30, 1944. J RA|G 2,349,940

AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 12. 1940 12 Sh'eeis-Sheet 10I JPL A E 55 IN VEN TOR.

May 30, 1944. J CRA|G AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION l2 Sheets-Sheet 11Filed Feb. 12, 1940 Q T ow May 30,1944. 3 CRAIG 2,349,940

AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 12, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet 12IZGN INVENTOR.

Patented May 30, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT orFlcE AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLEcoNsraUo'rroN Burnie J. Craig, Los Angeles County, Calif. ApplicationFebruary 12, 1940, Serial No. 318,397

26 Claims.

The usual practice in the manufacture of automotive vehicles wherein aunitary body member is mounted on a unitary frame member results in aconstruction which is objectionable in several respects, and in anendeavor to overcome the problems present other constructions have beenproposed, and to some extent used, wherein the body and frame togetherform a unit. This unit construction, however, presents other problems.

Notwithstanding the objections, each mentioned construction has certainadvantages and the general object of the present invention is to providean improved method and structure wherein certain objections of eachmentioned construction are overcome and certain advantages arepreserved, while additional advantages without accompanying seriouscomplicating disadvantages are secured, and wherein the changeover inmanufacturing equipment and labor trainingmiy be readily made and with aresultant body construction so closely resembling the product with whichthe public is familiar that buyer objection should not become a problem.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an automotivevehicle body including a pair of unitary, complemental, sub-assemblyside members, with each side member including a subassembly part-frameand a sub-assembly partbcdy of such construction that the sub-assemblypart-frame and part-body may be united and brought to as nearly afinished condition as desired with the front and/or rear wheels mountedif desired and having all or a part of the wheel accessories such asbrakes, springs, steering mechanism, driving means, etc. mounted ifdesired and with some or so much 01 the hardware and trim mounted as isdesired and with the doors hung if desired and with the members paintedif desired, and otherwise finished as desired after which thesub-assembly side members may be securely united and the joints finishedto provide a complete body.

- Another object of the invention is to provide an automotive vehicleincluding a novel frame construction.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an automotivevehicle construction ineluding a unitary part-body or sub-assembly Inthe manufacture of automotive vehicles I wherein the body includes anenclosed housing, work on the interior thereof is subject to delay dueto the cramped working quarters. With the present invention this problemis overcome since by making the body as unitary sub-assembly sidemembers, which may be more or less complete in themselves, the workmenare permitted-to work on both sides of the members whenthe latter arehung in vertical position and may work all around the members when thelatter are flat on a conveyor.

Another object of one embodiment or the inmember and wherein one or moreroad wheels are mounted opera'tively on the unit.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an automotivevehicle including a novel body construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automotive vehicleconstruction including a novel unitary sub-assembly member includingroad wheels and an engine supporting portion.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel means forsecg access to a compartment in an automotive vehicle.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an automotivevehicie inclug a body hav ing a unitary or sub=assembly hood mounted toreinforce the body in a novel manner.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an automotivevehicle body including novel means for reinforcing the top.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automotive vehicleincluding a body having a novel front portion. 9

Another object of the invention is to provide an automotive vehicleincludinga body having a novel rear portion.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automotive vehiclebody construction including complemental frame and body sub-assemblymembers wherein certain portions are made of plastic.

Other objects and the advantages of this invention will be apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a top plan view showing the unitary subassembly members inextended position prior to final assembly;

Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are top plan, side elevation,

front and rear views, respectively, of the vehicle;

Figs.'6 and '7 are enlarged, fragmentary sectional views taken on lines6-8 and 1-1, respectively, Fig.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a pair of complemental lower frame units;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a pair of the complemental upper frameunits;

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are enlarged sections taken on lines I 11-10, ll-lland 12-12, respectively, Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary side elevation of an upper and lower frame unitjoined;

Fig. 14 is a top plan view showing two half bodies nested for storage orshipping;

Fig. 15 is a top plan .view of the vehicle with the body panelspartially broken away to show the frame;

Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the vehicle with the body panelspartially broken away to show the frame; I

Figs. 18 and 19 are enlarged, fragmentary sections taken onlines l8-l8and l9-I9,-respec tively, Fig. 17;

Fig. 20 is a traverse section showing the half bodies apart;

Fig. 21 is a transverse section showing the half-bodies united;

Fig. 22 is a section taken on line 22-22, Fig. 1;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary elevation showing the hood opened;

Fig. 24 is a side elevation with parts broken away, showing the hood andits accessories in place on the frame;

. Fig. 25 is a fragmentary, central, sectional view through the hoodshowing the windshield secured in place;

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary section taken on line 26-26, Fig. 25 with partsbroken away;

Fig. 27 is a fragmentary section taken on line 21-21, Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is a side elevation showing the front fender and hood with partsbroken away;

Fig. 29 is a fragmentary section taken on line 29-29, Fig. 28;

Fig. 30 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the front fender liftedand with parts broken away;

Fig. 31 is a fragmentary section taken on line Fig. 32 is a fragmentarysection taken on line 32-32, Fig. 28;

Fig. 33 is a side elevation of the 'rear portion of the vehicle withparts broken away;

Fig. 34 is a top plan view of the rear part of the vehicle with partsbroken away;

Fig. 35 is a section taken on line 35-35, Fig. 33;

Fig. 36 is a side elevation of the rear portion of the vehicle showingthe rear hood raised to the first position;

. Fig. 37 is a view similar to Fig. 36 showing the hood in fully raisedposition;

Figs. 38 and 39 are enlarged, fragmentary sections taken on lines 38-38and 39-39, respectively, Flg. 33;

Fig. 40 .(see Sheet II) is a fragmentary elevation showing the upperportion of the door;

Figs. 41 and 42 are fragmentary, enlarged sections taken on lines 41-41and 42-42, respectively, Fig. 3;

Fig. 43 is a section taken on line 43-43, Fig. 42;

Fig. 44 is a section taken on line 44-44, Fig. 41;

Fig. 45 is an extended view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modification;

Figs. 46, 47 and 48 are sections taken on lines 46-46, 61-41 and 48-48,respectively, Fig. 45;

Fig. 49 is a top plan view of the drip pan;

Fig. 50 (Sheet V) is a view similar to Fig. 21 showing a plastic body;

Fig. 51 (see Sheet V) is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the roofjoint for the plastic parts;

Fig. 52 (see Sheet V) is a fragmentary plan showing a modified X-framejoint; and

Fig. 53 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 53-53, Fig. 52.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters the invention is shownas embodied in an automotive vehicle which is indicated generally at I.The vehicle includes wheels 2 which in the disclosure are mounted at thefront on steerable wheel mountings 3 shown as of the knee action typeand which support a body 4 in which an engine 5 may be mounted at therear, although the particular location of the engine is immaterial. Thewheel mountings in front are disclosed as steered by mechanism 6 whichis suitably connected to the wheels and is actuated by means of theusual steering wheel.

The rear wheels 2 which are shown as the vehicle drive wheels includewheel mountings 1 suitably supported by springs 8 which engage the frameto be presently described. As shown the wheel mountings include housingshaving flanges 9 for splined axles 10 which in the assembly engagecompanion members H in the transmission 12 while the flanges 9 aresecured to the transmission housing as by bolts so that the wheelassemblies may be readily installed or removed.

As shown the body includes a lower frame member 13 which supports frontdoor and windshield pillars 14, body pillars l5, and rear door pillars16. The pillars support an upper frame member 11' which connects thepillars and defines the tops of the door openings ,and is engaged by a.top 18.

In the disclosure the body includes two integral, complemental,independently made, unitary sub-assembly members which are securedtogether.

As shown the frame includes two half-frame members 19 (see Fig. 8) eachhaving a side rail 29 with a half-X cross member 2| secured thereto.-Each rail 20 further has a front half-cross member 22 and a rearhalf-cross member 23 secured thereto. The half-cross members 22 and 23are shown as braced by diagonal members 24 and 25.

Each rail 20 further includes outwardly directed hangers 26, 21 and 28which support outer rail members 29 which latter in turn support thepillars l4, l5 and I6 previously mentioned. In the disclosure thepillars l4 and 16 are continued inwardly above the door areas as at 30and 3| to engage half-top members 32.

The upper half-frame members 11 each includes an intermediate portion 33which connects the pillars and which is supported on the top of the bodypillars 15 as by welding and is secured to the outer face of the upperends of surface of the front and rear of the half-top.

members ll.

. In the disclosure the half-frame members ll! support track members 35which serve to support sliding doors which are later referred to but itwill be understood that'the invention disclosed is not limited to theuse of doors of the slidins type since the customary hinged door may beused. The track members 35 as shown are of general inverted U-shape andsecured in place as by bolts 36 inserted through suitable apertures inthe members H. A drain and trim strip 31 may be included between themembers I! and 35 and this .trim strip may align with trim stripssecured to the half-tops l8. j

Without inferential limitation to such shapes, certain of the partframemembers are shown as tubular in form being, for instance, substantiallyrectangular in cross section thereby providin great strength with aminimum of weight.

The members M and iii, within the area of the doors, are preferably ofthe cross section shown in Figs. 18 and 19, respectively, and includeshoulders M and 42 which engage shoulders 42 and M on the doors 40.Direct contact of the shoulders may be prevented by rubber cushionmembers 45. The doors are contoured adjacent to the shoulders at and Mto form an unbroken contour with that of the adjacent portion of thebody. The pillars M and It include projecting flanges 46 on which panelsW and t8 constituting a part of the half-bodies are secured.

As shown the doors M include projecting cantilever arms at and 50 whichsupport rollers i. On each side of the vehicle the cantilever arms onthe front and rear doors are arranged to move in parallel spaced planesso that they do not interfere with each others movement. The cantileverconstruction permits the doors to be opened fully as shown in Fig. 2 (inbroken lines) while still maintaining the rollers bl in engagement withtheir respective tracks.

The doors 4% include upper flanges 52 which extend over the .area of thetracks. Each door also includes a lower frame and bumper member 53 whichextends across the door and has a width equalling the thickness of thedoor. The member 53 is disposed in alignment with the adjacent outerrail 29 so that on slight movement of the door inwardly the bumperdirectly engages the frame rail and thereby serves as a crash bumper totransfer the impact of blows directly onto the frame thus protecting thedoor.

The frame and bumper members 53 each support roller assemblies 54including rollers 55. The assemblies .58 are secured at 55 to an innerdoor frame member 58 clamped to the bumper is by bolts 51. The rollers55 are spaced to receive a flange 58 which is shown as a continuation ofone side of the outer rail 29 so that the need for a separate track forthe lower rollers is avoided.

Above the door areas the portions 30 and 3| of the members I and I6 maybe of the shape shown in Fig. 43 with the flange 46 omitted. Theperimeter of the closed portions of the members I4 and of the members Iand their extensions 30 and 3| is preferably uniform throughout theirlengths.

Each half-frame-as shown includes a rearwardly directed member 69 (seeFigs. and 1'7) which isv welded or otherwise secured to the pillar I8and is covered by an extension on the panel 48. The ends of a windshieldCl and a rear window 6| are secured to the flanges 48 on the pillars l4and ll by garnish molding 82 and '2' (Figs. 8 and 7) suitably se ured inplace. The

'sides of the windshield and window are secured to the panels 41 and 48by the garnish molding.

The rear of the body is closed by a pair of hood members '6 (see Figs.33, 34 and 36). Each hood member includes a bumper member 81 which issuitably secured in place and includes a bent over end portion 88 onwhich a link 68 1 is pivoted at one end. The other end of each link 69is pivotally mounted on a removable pin 10 which is held in place by anut II. As will be later described, this construction provides two openpositions for the hood members 68.

Each hood member further includes a bracket 12 on which one end of alink I2 is pivoted. The other end of the link 12' is pivoted on aremovable pin 13 secured to a bracket M which latter is mounted on themembers 23 and 25.

The pins 10 and 13 are coaxial. The hood members each include verticaland lateral brace members 15.

The rear bent over portion of the bumper 61 engages the link 69 which inturn engages the rail 20 when the half-hood is closed while the forwardend 11 of each bumper engages the outer end of a bracket is on theassociated hanger 2B. Thus the bumper under crash impact tends totransfer the blow directly to the frame.

Each hood member 66 when closed engages a flange 79 on the panel id andabuts against a shoulder 80 on the rear edge of the same panel 38, seeFigs. 38 and 39. VA latch M on a fire wall 82 supported on the membershe is operable from within the vehicle and includes arms til whichsecure the hood members 66 in closed position. The edges of the firewall tit engage the panel 48 as shown in Fig. 39 and extend horizontallyand then downwardly as shown in Fig. 3 separating the engine compartmentfrom the passenger compartment.

In the complete vehicle each half-hood covers the adjacent wheel 2. Toallow access to and replacement of a. tire the half-hood is raised tothe position shown in Fig. 36 and may be held in this position by abracket es. When fully opened to allow access to the engine the hoodassumes the position shown in Fig. 37 which position it holds due to thelocation of the axis of its pivoted support.

It will be seen that when lifted the hood first pivots about the forwardpivots of the links 69' and I2. When lifted further a tongue 61 securedto the bumper 61 engages the link 69 and a tongue 12" engages the link12' and thereafter hood members may be completely removed to facilitateremoval of, or repairs to, the engine or for other purposes.

Each hood member 66 includes a rear bumper support 85 which extendsthrough the hood and has inner resilient portions 86 disposed when thehood is in down position as shown in Fig. 34, adjacent thehalf crossmember 23 of the frame. The resilient portions 86 include end portions86' which are bent so that they are beneath the member 23 when the hoodmember is closed. A rear bumper'lil is suitably secured to each support85.

A blow on one of the bumpers 81 causes the latter to move inwardly sothat the portions on the front end of the,frame.

06 thereon engage the half cross members 23 and transfer the blow to theframe members. The impact of a rearward glancing blow on the end of abumper is transferred to the member 23 through the bent portions 86'.

The two "unitary members described may be brought toas near a completelyfinished condition as desired, for instance, with hardware andtrimmounted and the finished doors hung. The parts may be painted ifdesired. Inmanufacture the part bodies may be hung vertically from a rconveyor or may be laid flat or otherwise supported to permit work onboth sides or around the-entire sub-assembly. In shipment, or forstorage, the sub-assemblies, finished so much as desired, may besuitably nested as shown in Fig. 14.

In the disclosure the edges of the part-bodies and part-frames arecoplanar so that when the complementary parts of the vehicle are readyfor assembly they are brought to the position shown in Fig. 21 and theparts are connected.

As shown connection is effected -by a coupling 7 provided.

The front hood which is disclosed as a unitary. sub-assembly member maynext to be secured in place. The front hood (see Figs. 1 and 22 to 29,inclusive) includes a bottom portion 93 which is mounted on the forwardextension of the lower frame and also includes an upwardly extendingpartition 9a which is surmounted by a top portion 95 having a dashmember 96 thereon which may include the usual The partition 95 includesadoor a l! to provide access to the storage space instruments 06'.

which is provided by the hood.

The hood includes a cowling 91 which in the disclosure extendsdownwardly and outwardly with the lower portion thereof secured to a top98 of a wheel housing which includes a vertically disposed panel 99connected to the bot= tom portion 93. The bottom portion 93 includes astep portion I00 which extends across the hood. The bottom 93 forms asupport for a spare tire IOI which may be secured in place by suitablebrackets I02. A partition I03 in the hood forms the bottom of a storagecompartment.

The hood is closed by a closure member I04 which is mounted on aconcealed hinge I05. A pivoted arm I06 mounted on the top 98 ofthe wheelhousing engages the hood when the latter is raised to thereby hold it inthis position. (See Fig. 23.)

Each wheel housing is closed by a fender I01 which is pivoted on a shaftI08 mounted on brackets I09 secured to a support IIO mounted The fendersshown include plane outer faces III over which the front doors move (seebroken line position Fig. 2). The fenders I01 engage cushion strips II!on the cowling 91, catch member H3 ineluding a hand operated releasemember III accessible from. within the passenger compartment serves tohold the fenders in closed position so that unauthorized removal of thetires or headlights (to'be later described) is prevented.

The hood closure "it includes a lower flange H 3 which when the hood isclosed (see Fig. 25) engages a cushion member M5 on the step portion weof the hood bottom. The hood is shown as held in closed position by handreleased fasteningmeans H5. The support I09 supports a standardheadlight II? which includes a lens II. The fender includes an apertureH9 (see Fig. 28) which receives the lens H8. It will be seen that whenthe fender IIlI is raised (see Fig. 30), access may be had to theadjacent front wheel and the adjacent headlight.

As shown (see particularly Figs. 22, 2 5 and 27) the wheel mountings 3are arranged on a cross 7 member Il9a and include a link II9b which issecured to a shock absorberas at So. The shock absorber includes aflange 311 which engages the hood along the edges of the bottom thereofand which in turn is secured to the hood as by bolts 9e. A suitablerubber mount ing I I9 may be included in the joint. The cross memberII9a connects the wheel mountings and intermediate its length engagesthe forwardly extending portions of the half-frame members I9 and issecured thereto as by bolts III-9g.

The hood, cushioned by rubber mounting members I20, is secured to thefront door pillar of the frame by-bolts IN and is also secured to theforwardly projecting end of the frame by means shown as brackets l22.Thus it will be apparent that the hood, including the front wheelhousing members, serves to secure the front portions of the bodytogether while the hood is braced by the wheel mountings to providegreat rigidity. The dash may be bolted at both ends to the adjacentfront pillars Id.

The rear unitary motor sub-assembly includes the wheel mounting i andthe axle housings having flanges 9 on the inner ends thereof which areshown as secured by suitable bolts to each side of the transmissionhousing 5. A brace member 823 shown as secured to supports I2d whichengage the springs, serves to aid in supporting the engine and itstransmission housing and also supports a drip pan I26 which protects thebottom of the motor and transmission and serves to catch oil drippings.

. In assembly-the two side sub-assembly members are preferably firstmounted afterwhich the front hood may be mounted and then the rear wheelassembly springs 8 are mounted on the frame.

As shown in Fig. 42 a resiliently mounted floor 825 may be disposedbetween the outer rail members 2s. The door I 25 is shown as secured tothe members 29 through brackets I26 secured to the rails 29 as well asto other suitably spaced parts of the frame. Each bracket includes aflange I21. Bolts I28 engage the floor I25 and the flange it? throughcushion members I29. The edge of the floor may be finished with asuitable head as at I30.

The front fenders I 01 include crash bumpers I3I which are secured tothe inside thereof. The

bumpers I3I terminate forwardly adjacent the supports H0 and rearwardlythey terminate adjacent the pillars I4. Impact on a bumper I3I istransmitted to the frame through the support I I0 and through a cornermember I32 secured to the hanger 26.

In Figs. 45 to 49, inclusive, parts similar to those previouslydescribed are designated by similarly primed reference characters. Inthe disclosure the cross member H9 is divided and each part mounted onthe forwardly extending part of the half frame membersJ! with the wheelmountings 3' and wheels 2' I thereon. Each mounting I at the reartogether with the associated flanged axle housing 9 is mounted on therear portion of a half-frame member. Thus two unitary, complemental,half-frame and halfebody or sub-assembly members with their road wheelsthereon and with appropriate steerable portions and transmissionportions for the road wheels are provided.

The hood member in the disclosure includes steering mechanism 8' withcoupling members a thereon. The engine 5'- includes a transmission withmembers ll adapted to receive splined axle l which drive the wheelmountings. The flanges 8' on the shaft housings are secured to theengine and abrace member I25 having end portions I26 connected to thesprings serves to hold the parts assembled. A splash pan I28 is mountedon the brace member.

The construction shown in Fig. 45 thus includes four unitary membersnamely, two half frame and body sub-assembly members; a front hood; anda rear engine and its mounting. The shape of the unitary members is suchthat they may be shipped with a minimum of space.

In assembly the body parts may be arranged at each side of the engineand may be moved towards the engine unit so that the axles engage theircompanion spline members ii after which the flanges 9' may be suitablysecured to the transmission housing.

In manufacture the two half frame and body members with their roadwheels thereon may be united in the manner previously described to thusprovide a body with the engine mounted and with road wheels in place.

The hood member may then be moved to position in engagement with thefront end of the frame and may be secured to the frame and body membersas previously described. .The steering mechanism 66a being then coupledto the companion members on the steerable wheel mount ings and thecontrols and circuits connected the vehicle is ready for use.

For engine repairs suitable removable securing bolts would permit theengine and/or transmission to be removed from the body without requiringseparation of the half-frame members.

The unitary construction herein described enables manufacture of thesub-assemblies with a minimum of conveyor space and with the workersworking all around the sub-assemblies. 'The pendent units and this planprovides for a considerable saving of shipping space. Thus economy inshipping is secured regardless of the time the sub-assemblies areunited. 1

In the event of severe damages to a hoodsuch repair canbehandledeconomically by substituting a new hood. Damages to one side ofthe body may be repaired by substituting a new half-body hicle bodyhaving a plastic top I50. Members similar to those previously describedare designated in Fig. by similarly primed reference characters. Thejoint between the halves may be as shown in Fig. 51. A channel strip inengages beads I 52 on the top I50 and may be thermally secured in place.It will be understood that this is merely one of a number of methods ofjoining the top-halves. Other portions of the body may also be made ofplastics as for instancethe doors and body panels.

In Figs. 52 and 53 a modified X-frame Joint is shown. This joint mayaccommodate the propeller shaft of a vehicle having a forwardly mountedengine. Members similar to those previously described are designated bysimilar double-primed reference characters. A coupling member I similarto the coupling member 88 is secured to the members 2|" as shown. Itwill be seen that the member IE0 is of such construction that apropeller shaft (not shown) may pass between the members ZI. and beneaththe coupling member I I0.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. An automotive vehicle having a closed body comprising a plurality ofcompartments, the body including two unitary, complementary, sidemembers, each side member constituting one half of the compartments andeach including a continuous running gear supporting side rail and a bodyportionsupported thereby, the side rails projecting beyond the bodyportion at one end thereof, the side members each constituting integralportions connected together and an additional unitary compartmentforming member disposed above the projecting portions of the side railsand concentric thereto.

2. In an automotive vehicle construction, a roof supporting pillar, thepillar being of one piece, tubular and of closed section and having alongitudinally extending, door engaging shoulder thereon disposedintermediate one side thereof, said shoulder extending to the outer faceof said one side.

3. .In an automotive vehicle construction, a roof supporting pillar, thepillar being of one piece, tubular and of closed section and having ashoulder thereon disposed" intermediate one side thereof, a flangeprojecting outwardly from the shouldered side, a window member engagingthe flange, and a molding member mounted on the pillar and engaging thewindow member.

4. An automotive body including a pair of unitary passenger compartmentforming side members and a pair of unitary compartmental end memberseach having road wheel mountings at each side thereof, a memberconnecting the I pillars, a panel on each pillar, a panel on the member,means engaging the upper portion of the member panel to support awindow, the body including a compartment, closures for the compartmentpivotally mounted on the frame, theclosures when in one positionengaging the panels.

6. In .an automotive vehicle construction, a a secured on the side'frameand extending at one body having a pillar thereon at each side thereof,a member connecting the pillars, a panel on tion of the member panel, aflange on each pillar panel, the body including a compartment, pivotedclosures for the compartment, the closures when in one positioneffgaging the flanges.

7. In a vehicle construction, a pair ,of complemental, sub-assembly,body forming, side portions connected together, each portion including aside rail, the side rails including spaced portions near one end of thesub-assembly, and a unitary, sub-assembly, engine supporting, membersecured to the spaced side rail portions.

8. In a vehicle construction, a body including a pair of complementalside portions, each side portion including a continuous side rail, theside portions being connected together and a unitary, sub-assembly,engine supporting unit secured to the side rail portions and road. wheelmountings on the engine supporting unit.

9. In a vehicle, a pair of unitary, separately formed sub-assemblymembers, each sub-assembly member including a part-frame having upperand lower separately formed frame members with parallel central portionsand connecting pillars forming door openings, means securing the ends ofthe upper frame members together, and means securing the ends of thelower 'frarne members together at a point remote from the location wherethe upper frame members are secured together. a

10. A combined half-chassis underframe and passenger forming compartmentsub-assembly member comprising a half-passenger compartment formingmember forming a half body and a half frame disposed below the halfbody, vertical pillars supported on the half frame and engaging the halfbody, said pillars being spaced to define a door opening, said halfframe including a side rail member and at least one transverse memberconnected to said side rail, all of said parts being rigidly connected.

11. A side unit for use in making a closed vehicle body, including aunitary, fractional, passenger compartment forming body member, themember including a side fixedly joined to at least another portion of apassenger compartment, the member also including pillars defining a dooropening, a door hung on the member and closing the opening, and alongitudinal extending underframe along the lower edge of the fractionalmember, the underframe including a side rail and an inwardly directedfloorsupporting member, the body membenpillars, side rail and floorsupporting members being fixedly connected together.

12. A vehicle body sub-assembly member comprising a body forming shelland including an inwardly directed underframe portion along the lower,side, the shell being fixedly connected to the underframe, the shellbeing concave and havp end to form a portion of a housing, the sideframe member projecting beyond the other end of the passengercompartment forming member, the sub-assembly member having substantiallythe shape of one half of a vehicle body.

l4. Foruse in making a vehicle body of the enclosed type, a sub-assemblymember including a shell having a side, a side panel, a parttop and apart-end, said side panel, part top, and part end being riQly connected,a rail member including a projecting portion connected to said shell,and a road wheel mounted directly on the projecting portion of thesubassembly side rail member.

15. For use in making an automotive vehicle body of the enclosed type, asub-assembly member including a longitudinally extending separatelyformed, running gear supporting side frame having a front and a rearwheel mounting thereon, a separately formed compartment forming memberon the side frame and extending at one end beyond the adjacent wheelmounting, the compartment member forming a portion of an engine housing,the sub-assembly member having substantially the shape of one half of anautomotive vehicle body.

16. For use in making a vehicle body, a subassembly member comprisingarunning gear supporting half-frame member including a longitudinallyextending side member having a front part-cross member, a rearpart-cross memberv including a continuous longitudinal running gear thetop and a portion of the side of the body,

each portion of the top being rigidly secured to the associated portionof the side, and each portion of the'slde being rigidly mounted on itsassociated half-frame, the end portions and.

the intermediate portions of the complementary side members beingrigidlyconnected.

'18. An automotive vehicle including a frame having a body thereon, saidframe at one end including an unjointed continuous portion projectingbeyond the body, a road wheel mounting fixedly secured to the projectingframe-portion, and a unitary, separately formed, compartment membermounted on the projecting frame portion and secured to the projectingframe portion and to the body.

19. An automotive vehicle having a closed body including a passengercompartment and a second ,compartment, the body including twolongitudinal, complementary, unitary, side members which when joinedconstitute the passenger compartment, the side members each including aside rail having a pillar thereon, each side member including a portionof the top and-a portion of the external sides of the body, the siderails being continuous throughout their length, the side members beingrigidly connected together, the side rails projecting unjointedhr beyondone end of the passenger compartment, the second compartment comprisinga separately formed member having road wheel mountings thereon, saidsecond compartment being secured to the projecting portion of the siderails.

20. An automotive vehicle having-a closed body including a compartment,the body including two longitudinal, complementary, separately formedside members, each side member including a separately formed continuous,lower, side, frame member with connecting pillars and a pair of partbody members, each part body member coiistituting an integral portionformed independently of its associated frame member, each part bodymember including a top portion and a side portion, each of the part bodymembers being rigidly secured to its associated frame member, the sideframe members being secured together and the part body members beingsecured together.

21. In an automotive vehicle construction, a body including front andrear door pillars on each side, means extending transversely across thevehicle and connecting the front door pillars, other transverse meansconnecting the rear door pillars, means extending along each side of thevehicle and connecting the tops of the pillars along each side, the sideconnecting means being continuous and extending rearwardly and forwardlyof the pillars, the extended portions being bent inwardly towards thecenter of the body and being connected.

22. An automotive vehicle having a closed body including a passengercompartment and a second compartment, the body including twocomplementary, unitary, Side members which when joined constitute onehali. of the passenger compartment, the side members each including aside rail and each having a pillar thereon, each side member including aportion of the top and a portion of the external sides of the body, theside rails being continuous throughout their length, the side membersbeing rigidly connected togetherI the side rails projecting beyond thepassenger compartment, 9. road wheel mounting on the projecting portionof each side rail, the second compartment comprising a separately formedmember secured to the projecting portion of the side rails.

23. An automobile body including a passenger compartment and a pair ofunitary end members each having road wheel mountings thereon, thepassenger compartment including a frame portion and a body-formingportion, the frame portion being disposed upon the lower part of thebody-forming portion, the frame portion at one extending frame portionand a body portion mounted upon the longitudinally extending frameportion, one of said end members including a housing portion engaging apart of the body portion above the frame portion and having portionsengaging and secured to the longitudinally extending frame portion atone end of the body, the other end member being arranged beneath thebody and connected to the frame portion at the other end of the body.

25. An automobile body including a pair of unitary passenger compartmentforming side members and a pair of unitary end members each having roadwheel mountings thereon, said side members being connected, each sidemember including a frame portion and a body-forming portion, the frameportions being disposed upon the lower part of the body-forming portion,the frame portions at one end of the body projecting beyond the adjacentbody portions, one of said end members being connected to the projectingframe portions and the other end member being connected to the frameportions at the other end of the body.

26. An automotive vehicle comprising a frame member, springs on saidframe member, wheel mountings supported by said springs, each wheelmounting including an axle portion, said axle I portions extendingtowards each other, a, support member mounted on said springs, and anengine mounted on said support member, said engine including atransmission device having members thereon drivingly engaging said axlePortions.

BURNIE J. CRAIG.

